My four-day peregrination in God’s own state

Last weekend, from Thursday, May 28 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, I was in Abia State on an official assignment. I flew from Abuja to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri and did the 1 hour 30 minutes trip from Owerri to Umuahia by road. It wasn’t my first time in the state whose moniker is” God’s Own State”, but I haven’t been there in about 15 years. Meanwhile, I have heard so much about Governor Alex Otti’s magic in the state and looked forward to seeing things for myself; after all, it is said that seeing is believing! Information gleaned from the Abia State Ministry of Information website indicates that the state was created on August 27, 1991, following the division of the former Imo State. Its capital is Umuahia, while Aba is its commercial nerve centre. The area now known as Abia has long been a centre of commerce, craftsmanship, and agricultural production. Aba, the state’s major commercial city, has been a beacon of entrepreneurship since colonial times. The city became famous for its role during the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929, a major protest against British colonial taxation policies led by Igbo women. Today, Aba is known for its vibrant markets, especially the Ariaria International Market, one of the largest and most famous in West Africa, often dubbed the “China of Africa” for its locally manufactured goods, particularly in textiles, leather products, and footwear. Recall the exploits of Enyimba FC of Aba in the history of sports development and achievements in Nigeria. Enyimba Football Club won the African Champions League in 2003, becoming the first and only Nigerian club to do so. The club wrote its name in gold when it successfully defended the title in 2004. The club is now one of the most prominent football clubs in Africa and the most successful in Nigeria, with more than 5 million fans worldwide. Abia is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo people, and its residents are known for their strong cultural identity and entrepreneurship. The state is renowned for Akwete cloth, a traditional textile unique to the Akwete people in the Ukwa East Local Government Area. Ekpe and Masquerade festivals are integral parts of the state’s cultural heritage, reflecting the rich traditional beliefs and practices of the people. Abia is bordered by Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States. The state is an important player in oil palm production, yams, cassava, and vegetable cultivation. Apart from agriculture, Abia is also rich in crude oil and gas, contributing to Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Prominent Abians include the first head of stat